Red Rose rugby blooms at Twickenham and at Richmond

Steve Simpson

Lancashire are county champions for the 24th time in their history after a magnificent second half fightback against Cornwall at Twickenham as they prevailed 19-8.

And it was a case of double delight for the Red Rose.

The Lancashire players celebrate

Lancashire women did the county pride as they won their championship final at Richmond FC, beating Surrey 25-13

The men trailled 8-0 after a disappointing first half, but they dominated after the interval, scoring 19 points without reply.

Cornwall did not know what had hit them as Lancashire made the most of the wide open spaces of Twickenham to exploit the hard-pressed opposition defence.

The Trelawny's Army had led 8-0 in the first half with a try by George Jones and a Matt Shepherd penalty, but the contest was turned on its head in the second half.

Fylde winger Anthony Bingham scored a superb try, converted by Chris Johnson, of Sale FC, to reduce the leeway to one point.

Lancashire forged ahead as Fylde hooker Tom Burtonwood burrowed his way over for an unconverted try.

Then man-of-the-match Armstrong, who is leaving Fylde, claimed Lancashire's third try in the space of 15 minutes, goaled by Johnson.

That put Lancashire two scores in front and Cornwall, going for a hat-trick of wins in the final, were never going to get into it after that.

Lancashire skipper Evan Stewart, who is leaving Fylde to join Vale Of Lune, received the Bill Beaumont Trophy from the man after whom the competition is named. sparking joyous scenes as the team celebrated with the cup.